Surname Willhoit - Meaning and Origin
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Willhoit: What does the surname Willhoit mean?
The surname Willhoit is an Americanization of the French surname Vilhuit, which has origins in the region of Normandy in present day France. The literal translation of the name is "will have it," with the French root words "vil" meaning will, and "huit" meaning eight. It is thought that the name was originally a nickname for someone who was considered very determined or persistent in their endeavors, possibly related to having worked hard for at least eight days or weeks at a time.
The earliest recorded appearance of the surname was in 1699 in New Jersey, when a Jacques Vilhuit arrived from France to the United States and started a new life. The name then spread across the New England region over the next two centuries, with many variants in spelling appearing over that time. As time passed, the name began to be phonetically Americanized to Willhoit.
Today, it is a popular surname, especially in the Midwest and Southern United States. It is a reminder of the determination and tenacity of the Willhoit family ancestors who were willing to leave their homeland to create a better life in the New World.
Order DNA origin analysisWillhoit: Where does the name Willhoit come from?
The last name Willhoit is most common today in the United States, but is also found in other English-speaking countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, the Willhoit surname has its highest concentration of families in West Virginia. According to the 2000 US Census, there were 662 households in this state with the Willhoit surname. In terms of population distribution, however, the Willhoit surname is found in the most households in New Jersey.
The Willhoit surname is also found in moderate numbers in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and surrounding states. Beyond the United States, the Willhoit surname appears in the UK and Australia. This surname is most concentrated in Australia's capital of Victoria. The United States is the country with the largest number of Willhoit families, with 1540 individuals reported having the Willhoit surname in the 2000 US Census.
The Willhoit surname has also spread to other countries with the arrival of immigrants from the US, UK, and elsewhere. As the name is not wide-spread, its difficult to estimate the exact worldwide population with this name.
Variations of the surname Willhoit
The Willhoit surname has several variants and spellings, as well as related surnames that stem from the same origin.
The most common variant spelling is Wilhoit, which is the same surname but with an additional “l” in place of the “h.” Other variants may include Willhite, Willhoit, Wilhite, Wielhoit or Wielhite. There is also a rare Welsh variant called Wilhoite, and sometimes the name is spelled differently due to existing dialect and regional differences.
In terms of surnames related to Willhoit, some of the most common are Willis, Billhitt, Wilkison, Wilkett, Wilkins, Wilks, and Wilksen. All of these surnames derive from similar English and Germanic roots, which served as the foundation for the Willhoit surname.
In some cases, the Willhoit surname is thought to have derived from the Germanic personal name Willoht, which is composed of the elements “will”, which means desire or resolution, and “hoht” which means bright. As such, the surname was likely originally given to mean “bright desire or resolution.”
The Willhoit surname is also thought to have originated from certain English and Germanic occupations, such as an agricultural laborer or a wood cutter. In some cases, it has also been used to refer to a soldier or fighter.
The Willhoit surname is not as common as some other surnames, but it is nonetheless quite common, and is found in a wide array of countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, and Belgium.
Famous people with the name Willhoit
- Ryan Willhoit: Professional lacrosse player
- Zach Willhoit: American musician and producer
- David Willhoit: Retired American football coach
- Dick Willhoit: Former American baseball player
- Kyle Willhoit: American basketball player
- Jared Willhoit: American snowboarder
- Leigh Willhoit: Former American television personality
- Phillip Willhoit: American forester and conservationist
- Marshall Willhoit: American football coach
- Howard Willhoit: Former American golfer
- Jane Willhoit: Former curator of American Indian studies at the American Museum of Natural History
- Trevor Willhoit: Retired American professional baseball player
- Robert Willhoit:Former American professional football player
- Jesse Willhoit: Professional wrestler and actor
- Barbara Willhoit:Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing